Legal Question in Social Security Law in Virginia

Re: burials

Social Security will give a one time death benefit of $250. It does not have to be used for burial but it can be.

Generally, this is how it applies:

First, the surviving spouse who was living in the same household with the worker when he or she died can receive the lump sum payment.

Second, if there's no eligible spouse to receive the payment, the lump sum can be paid to the worker's child (or children) who was:

receiving benefits on the deceased worker's earnings record during the month in which the worker died; or

eligible to receive benefits.